Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, IA
Also known as Peoples Memorial Hospital
In a medical emergency, call 911. This page is for information only.
About Buchanan County Health Center
Buchanan County Health Center is a critical access hospital in Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa. It reports its ownership to Medicare as nonprofit (other). It provides emergency services. It does not currently have a CMS Overall Star Rating, which usually means it reports too few measures to be rated. The nearest other listed hospital is Mental Health Institute, about 1.1 mi away.
Quality ratings
How this hospital compares with the national rate on each measure group:
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospital General Information. How star ratings work.
Emergency room times
Lower times are better. Reporting period ending September 2025. Source: CMS Timely and Effective Care. What these numbers mean.
What patients say
- Would definitely recommend91%
- Rated the hospital 9 or 1090%
- Completed surveys38
Survey period ending September 2025. Source: CMS HCAHPS Patient Survey.
Map
42.46853, -91.91274
Nearby hospitals
- Mental Health Institute2277 Iowa Avenue, Independence, IAPsychiatric hospital1.1 mi
- Mercyone Oelwein Medical Center201 Eighth Avenue SE, Oelwein, IA · Level IV traumaCritical access hospital14 mi
- Virginia Gay Hospital502 North 9th Avenue, Vinton, IA · Level IV traumaCritical access hospital21 mi
- Allen Hospital1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, IA · Level III traumaAcute care hospital22 mi
- Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center3421 West Ninth Street, Waterloo, IA · Level III traumaAcute care hospital22 mi
- Regional Medical Center709 W Main Street, Manchester, IA · Level IV traumaCritical access hospital23 mi
Frequently asked questions
Where is Buchanan County Health Center located?
Buchanan County Health Center is at 1600 First St East, Independence, IA 50644 in Buchanan County.
Does Buchanan County Health Center have an emergency room?
Yes. Buchanan County Health Center reports emergency services to Medicare, and patients spent a median of 90 minutes in its emergency department before leaving. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
What is the CMS star rating of Buchanan County Health Center?
Buchanan County Health Center does not have a current CMS Overall Star Rating. CMS only rates hospitals that report enough measures; critical access, psychiatric, VA and many small hospitals are often unrated, which says nothing about their quality.
Is Buchanan County Health Center a trauma center?
We have no trauma center designation on record for Buchanan County Health Center. Hospitals without one still treat injuries in their emergency department and transfer patients who need a trauma center. Check the Iowa trauma program for the current list.
What is the phone number of Buchanan County Health Center?
The main phone number on record with Medicare is (319) 332-0999.
Would patients recommend Buchanan County Health Center?
In the most recent HCAHPS patient survey (38 completed surveys), 91% of patients said they would definitely recommend the hospital, and 90% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10.
Related guides
- How to Read a Hospital BillItemized bills, EOBs and billing codes explained, plus No Surprises Act protections and a step-by-step way to check for errors.
- Types of Hospitals in the USAcute care, critical access, children's, psychiatric, long-term care and federal hospitals explained, plus how ownership differs.
- What Is a Critical Access Hospital?The 25-bed, 96-hour and 35-mile rules, what care a critical access hospital provides, and how it differs from a rural emergency hospital.
- How to Get Inpatient Mental Health CareWays to be admitted, voluntary and involuntary care, what a stay looks like, and how insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cover it.